Access your Mac's files from any web browser, or from your iPhone

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Our Verdict

For

Fairly painless setup

Good speed and options

Free iPhone app

Against

Documents-only solution

Flying Mac FarFinder enables you to view and access a Mac's files from any location.

Install it on a host Mac and you can use a web browser or the FarFinder iPhone app to view and download files. Unlike some competing services, there are no ongoing fees. This is a single purchase and the iPhone app is free.

When you access your Mac via a browser, you get a rough approximation of a Finder window, switchable between icon and list views. You can explore volumes attached to your Mac, turn off custom icons for more speed, and search your Mac using a Spotlight-like search field.

However, FarFinder is very much a web interface – ≈-clicking brings up your browser's image options, not options for file manipulation.

Despite the limitations of a web interface, important basics are covered via toolbar buttons: you can upload, download and email files, and take a photo from your Mac if it has a webcam.

Speed was adequate at worst during tests, and the freebie iPhone app was pretty good – at least on a 3G connection. It's worth noting that FarFinder shouldn't be confused with a VNC: you don't get access to your apps or your Mac in general – just files.

But its ease of use and low price make it ideal if you're happy with that limitation.